Khalil Uddin Farid, Bhola 

Information and Broadcasting Minister Barrister Andaleeb  Rahman Partho has urged journalists to highlight any mistakes or shortcomings in the government’s activities, saying such criticism would create an opportunity for the authorities to correct their errors.

“Journalists should report whether the government is working properly and point out where we are going wrong. If you identify our mistakes, it will give us an opportunity to correct them,” he said.

The Minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at an exchange of views with journalists at the Bhola Press Club auditorium on Thursday afternoon 

Referring to the country’s current situation, Partho said Bangladesh is going through a “different situation” and the role of the media has become more important at this time.

“Journalists should critically assess whether the government is doing well or badly and identify areas where problems exist,” he said. However, he stressed that criticism should aim to ensure transparency in government activities and create opportunities to rectify mistakes.

Addressing the journalists, Partho said, “You should write about whether we are doing our work properly. Point out our mistakes so that we can correct them.”

The Information and Broadcasting Minister also spoke about the rapid spread of news through social media.

He said various types of news are now spreading rapidly on social media, but people often regard such reports as “fake news”. One of the major reasons, he said, is the declining credibility of news among the public.

Journalists must present truthful and reliable information, Partho said. At the same time, news should not be presented in a way that causes unnecessary damage to anyone’s reputation.

“Excessive praise of anyone is also inconsistent with the principles of journalism,” he said.

Speaking about the formulation of guidelines for journalists, Partho  said merely introducing rules would not be enough to ensure responsible journalism.

“What is needed is greater emphasis on ethics and moral values among everyone,” he said, urging journalists to perform their professional responsibilities by presenting truthful news.

Referring to his political career and the ideology of his party, Parth said journalists were well aware of his political background. He said he did not favour creating political divisions among journalists.

“There may be differences of opinion within the journalism profession, but those differences should not be turned into political divisions,” he said.

Speaking about the country’s development, the minister said Bangladesh had witnessed significant infrastructure development, but the focus should now shift towards qualitative development.

“Development is not only about building infrastructure. We also need to focus on improving people’s quality of life, values and the social environment,” he said.

Partho also stressed the need to strengthen community policing at the grassroots level to prevent the erosion of moral values among young people. He called on local communities and the administration to work together in this regard.

The meeting was chaired by Bhola Press Club President Advocate Nazrul Haque Anu.

Among those present were Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman, Superintendent of Police Md Shahidullah Kawsar, District Information Officer Md Shah Abdur Rahim Nurannabi, Press Club General Secretary Nasir Uddin Liton, veteran journalist and freedom fighter M A Taher, Bhola District BNP Member Secretary Raisul Alam, Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) Bhola District President Amirul Islam Ratan, and leaders of various political parties.

Journalists from different print and electronic media outlets in the district also attended the meeting, which was moderated by Press Club General Secretary Nasir Uddin Liton.

At the end of the meeting, local journalists, including Muhammad Shawkat Hossain, author of the history of Bhola and editor of Dainik Ajker Bhola, presented flowers to Information and Broadcasting Minister Andalib Rahman Partho as a gesture of courtesy.